We all know where our nipples are – Hansen welcomes tackle trial

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has welcomed World Rugby’s latest proposal to safeguard the wellbeing of players.

The governing body is set to trial a new regulation during the Under-20 Championship in which players will not be able to make contact with opponents above their chest during a tackle, with the change aimed to reduce instances of head injuries and other types of potentially dangerous contact.

The plans have been criticised in some quarters within the game, but Hansen feels the initiative has merit.

“I think it’s good, I think it’s better than below the shoulder because there’s quite a lot of games where you make the tackle and it doesn’t look to be a bad tackle and yet it’s been penalised,” the All Blacks coach said.

“The clearer you can make it, the better – we all know where our nipples are, so hit below that and you’re okay.

“Is it going to solve the problems? We’re still going to get concussions because you’ve got two or three people piling into a collision and not everyone’s putting their head in the right place.”

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